A traumatic brain injury can occur when a West Virginia resident suffers a sports injury, becomes involved in a car accident or even falls. These blows to the head can range in severity. Even mild traumatic brain injuries can have serious side effects, though the severity of the brain injury may actually be influenced by a number of factors like the age and health of the person before the injury.

A mild traumatic brain injury often occurs when the person suffers an injury to the head but does not have any symptoms at the time the injury occurs. However, symptoms can show up several weeks later. These can include reoccurring headaches, nausea and changes in vision. A traumatic brain injury that is more moderate in severity may have the same symptoms in addition to slurred speech, seizures and numbness in the limbs.

Those who suffer a severe traumatic brain injury may see a change in their behavior and emotions. In some cases, the changes may be extreme enough in that the symptoms can be mistaken for mental health disorders. The affected person may also experience cognitive changes, including trouble learning new things, remember details and paying attention.

A brain injury can prevent people from being able to live their lives as they would normally. Depending on the severity of the injury, they may be unable to work and may suffer delayed symptoms, such as memory loss. If the incident causing the injury was the result of another party’s negligence, such as a reckless driver or a property owner who failed to correct a hazard that caused a slip and fall, a personal injury attorney could assist the victim in seeking appropriate compensation.